COOL, calm and collected, David D'arcy today awaits his date with destiny.If North Light wins Saturday's Epsom Derby, trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Kieren Fallon, will be showered with all plaudits amid the glory.
COOL, calm and collected, David D'arcy today awaits his date with destiny.
If North Light wins Saturday's Epsom Derby, trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Kieren Fallon, will be showered with all plaudits amid the glory.
But it will be D'arcy, the third favourite's 36-year-old Newmarket stable lad, who will be just as responsible for the colt's transition from potential champion to legend of the turf.
For the best part of 20 years, the Liverpudlian has devoted his life to the horses entrusted to his care.
Today, as the tension mounts in the build-up to the big race, the unflappable D'arcy lifts the lid on what it is like to be North Light's nanny, teacher and companion.
While dreams of returning to the winners' enclosure with a horse worth millions abound, D'arcy's professionalism shines through.
He said: “You can't afford to get nervous with animals, they sense it. I boxed when I was 16 in Liverpool. This is easier.
“My fiancée, Rebecca says I'm well attached to him. She says 'he's more important to you than me at the minute'.”
Although he remains sanguine about North Light's chances at Epsom, D'arcy knows, for him and his colt, Saturday will be D-Day.
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